Soap dispenser



"May 1*8 1943 .CL w. HcjPP 2,319,233

l l g-oAPYDIsPE'NsER l Filed March y1941 2 SheefQs-Shoeig; 2

` INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 18. `1943 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE i Aaziiaast 'f v E soAr prsPENsEa Charles W. Hoppe, Buffalo, tN'. Y. Appliwtimnv March 1o, 1941, serial No. 382,491 7 claims. (ci. zal-'11145` E 'I'his invention relates to a soap dispenser and more particularly to a soap dispenser in the form of a unit which can, be mounted on a wall or other suitable supporting structure and which is operated by the manual reciprocation of a plunger or push rod thereby to discharge a measured amount of soap.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide such a soap dispenser which can be refilled withsoap in such manner'that the 4soap will not be `'spilled during the lling operat tion. For this purpose. the container for the soap is adaptedv to be turned from its inverted operative position 'to an inoperative position in which the container is upright with its mouth on top and permitting refilling of the container through its mouth.

Another object isto provide such a soap dispenser in which'locking means are provided to prevent casual removal of the soap container thereby to prevent persons from loosening or removing the soap container.

Another object is to provide such a soap dispenser in which the wall bracket serves both as a bearing for the turning ofthe container to position itv for refilling and aspart of the means for locking the container in either its inverted or upright position. i

Another purpose is to provide a powdered soap dispenser in which the powdered soap is agitated adjacent the outlet of the soap container there*- by to prevent packing and caking of the soap at this point to insu-re free and adequate discharge of the powdered soap.

Another aim is to provide a liquid soap dispenser Which will not leak, which is positive in operation and which `will discharge measured amounts of liquid soap.

Anotherobject is to provide a soap dispenser which is inexpensive to manufacture, which contains a relatively small number of parts, which is positive in functioning and whichis not liable to get out of order under conditions of severe and constant use. l

Other advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through a soap dispenser` embodying my invention adapted for dispensing powdered soa'p.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 1 but showing the operating parts in their discharge position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along the line 3--3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 isa fragmentary side view, with parts broken away, showing the -position of the dispenser for refilling of the soap container.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken on line 5 5, Fig. fi'.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top view 0f vthe soap e dispenserl shown in'Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken generally on line 1-1,Fig. 1.'

Fig. V8 is a vertical central section through a soap dispenser embodying a modified form of my invention adapted for dispensing liqu soap.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 8 but showing the position of the operating parts during discharge.

Fig. '10 is a fragmentary side viewwith parts broken away, showing the position of the liquid soap dispenser for refilling of the soap container.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section, taken generally on line Il-.I I, Fig. v8..

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical' transverse section, taken on line I2-|2, Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a'A fragmentary view similar to Figs. 1 and 8 and showing a modified form of means for locking the container to the Wall bracket.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-7, a container 20, preferably of glass, for the powdered soap is shown as mounted on a metal supporting head or holder, indicated generally at 2l. -The head 2| is shown as being mounted on a wallbracket, indicated generally at 22.

'I'he wall bracket 22 is adapted to be mounted on a wall 23 or other suitable supporting structure. kFor this purpose' a vertically elongated metal anchoring plate 24 is fastened to the wall 23 by a screw 25 which passes through a slot 26 provided in the upper part' of this plate as shown' in Fig. 1. At its lower end the anchoring plate 24 is shown as being formed toprovide a forwardly extending offset. as indicated at 21, and this offset is provided with an opening 28 which provides'a bearing surface for a `purpose hereinafter described. 'I'his pla'te is also shown as beirg centrally provided with a threaded opening anchoring plate 24. By tightening the bolt it is apparent that the wall bracket shell 3| is drawn into firm engagement with the wall 23.

The supporting head or holder 2| which supports the soapy' container 20 is swivelly mounted on the wall bracket 22 so as to be capable of turning movement relative to'the wall bracket. To this end and as shown in Fig. 1 the head 2| is integrally formed to provide a supporting part 40 which is centrally recessed as indicated at 4| and formed to provide a fiat contacting face 42. As best shown in Fig. 5 the fiat contacting face 42 is annular in form. A pair of diametrically opposite lugs 43 are integrally formed on the annular face 42 and each of these lugs extends rearwardly from this face ytoward the wall bracket. Each of these lugs is received in a slot or opening 44 provided inthe front panel 32 of the wall bracket shell 3|. Between the openings 44 the front panel 32 is formed to provide a forwardly extending frusto-conical part 45 which projects into the recess 4| and the central portion of the part 45 is provided with'an opening 46. A pivot rod or shaft 48 is suitably mounted in the supporting head 2| and extends rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, through the opening 46.and its free end is rotatably received in the bearing opening 28 in the anchoring plate. The rod 48 carries a cotter pin 49 which acts as a stop pin which is arranged on the front side of the offset To reduce the cost of the dispenser my inven-y tion contemplates the use of a glass container 20 for the soap which container is of a standard design such as is used for containers for foodstuis. Heretofore the glass containers for dispensers were specifically designed and manufactured and therefore greatly increased the cost of its center with a'rectangular opening 64. With this construction the powdered soap 65 in the glass container 20 is prevented from being dislcharged except through the opening 64 in the supporting disk.

Means are provided for measuring out a pre determined amount of powdered soap and discharging the same through an outlet 66 which is provided in the bottom of the supporting head 2|. For this purpose a channel shaped guide member 61 is secured to the underside of the supporting disk 62 by a pair of integral retaining fingers 68 on the sides of the guide member each of which fingers extends upwardly through a slot in the supporting disk and is bent laterally on top`of this disk, as best shown in Fig. 3. The guide member 61 is open at both ends and preferably does not extend across the full width of the dispenser unit. I propose to use in my dispenser standard glass jars of the form shown in Fig. 1 which can be purchased in great numbers at low cost. These standard jars are purchased with a metal cover which can also be incorporated in my dispenser unit. In particular the outer end of the neck of the glass jar is integrally formed to provide a male thread which is adapted to receive the threaded ange 56 of the metal cover. opening 51 of a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the neck. The cover is press iitted into an annular opening or bore 58 provided in the head 2| and the annular edge portion of this cover engages an annular shoulder 59 provided in the head. It will thus be seen that the metal cover with its large opening 51 serves as a threaded engaging surface adapted to secure the glass jar or soap container to the supporting head.

The operative dispensing mechanism is mounted vvon the head 2| and partially extends into the neck of the soap' container 20. This mechanism includes a supporting member 62 in the form of a disk which is supported on an annular shoulder 63 formed in the head 2|, this shoulder 63 being formed a slight distance below the shoulder 59. As best shown in Fig. 'I the The cover has a large central of the supporting disk. A deflector plate o'r baille 69 is struck down from the bottom of the guide member 61 adjacent its rear end to provide a discharge opening and this baille deflects the charge of powdered soap being expelled from the discharging means toward the outlet 66.

A sliding valve member 1 2 is arranged in the guide member 611 for reciprocable movement therein and an integralpush rod 13 extends forwardly from the front side of this valve member out through an opening 14 provided in the side wall of the head 2|. A push button 15 is arranged on the outer end of the push rod for facilitating manual reciprocation of the sliding valve member 12. The sliding valve member 12 is provided with a rectangular valve opening 16 of su'bstantially the same dimensions as those of the open` ing 64 in the supporting disk 62. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the side and front walls forming the opening 16 taper slightly upwardly and outwardly.

In order to automatically return the push rod 13 to its extreme outward position spring means are provided which means also carry agitating means to agitato the powdered soap adjacent the opening 64 and thereby prevent the soap from caking or clogging around this opening. For this purpose a substantially U-shaped leaf spring is vertically arranged on the supporting disk 62 in such manner that its free end 8| extends through the opening 64 'into the opening 16 in the sliding valve member 12 and is adapted to engage with the front wall of this latter opening, the opposite end 82 of this U-shaped spring being fixed to the upper side of the supporting disk by a securing strap 83 formed in the supporting disk. It will therefore be seen that with the dispensing mechanism in the charging position shown in Fig. l the spring 80 urges the sliding valve member 12,.to the right. as viewed in this figure so that the opening 16 in this valve member is in register with the opening 64 in the supporting disk 62. When the sliding valve member is moved rearwardly or tothe left tothe discharge position shown in Fig. `2 by pushing on the push button 15 the spring 86 is exed t0 the form shown in Fig. 2. Upon release the spring returns the sliding valve member t0 the right to the position shown in Fig. 1 where it supporting disk 62 is provided slightly forward 75 is again in position to receive another charge of powdered soap.

The soap agitating means are shown as including a length of wire formed to provide a number of coils 85 arranged transversely of the line of movement of the sliding valve member 12, the opposite ends of this wire being suitably secured -to a compacting plate 86 which in turn v. ing 16.

l container with the wall bracket 22.

is fastened to the U-shaped leaf spring 80 by a securing strap 81 formed in the compacting plate as best shown in Fig. 3. This compacting plate 86 is arranged on that leg of the `spring 80 adjacent the forward wall of the opening 13 in the sliding valve memberv and serves to compact or shove the powdered soap into this valve opening 16 when the sliding valve member is moved to the position. shown in Fig. 2. During this `movement this compacting plate sweepsacross the opening 64 in the supporting disk Blas best shown in Fig. 3. Also during this movement the wire coils 85 are forced through the powdered soap in the glass 'container 20 and thereby agitate the soap and free it so that it vwill 'ow freelyr into the valve opening 16. During .the return movement of the compacting plate 86 the loosened soap is also urged into the valve open- By providing such agitating and compacting means the discharge of soap is rendered `positive and also faster manipulation of the sliding valve member is permitted. I

As pointed out above, when the sliding valve member 12 is being loaded or charged its valve opening 16 registers' with the opening 64 in the supporting disk 62 and is filled with a measured amount o-f powdered soap. Upon pushing the,

valve memberl tothe discharge position shown in Fig. 2 the `valve member slides in the guide member 61 and carries its charge of powdered soap into registry with the discharge opening provided by the punched down deiiector '69 through which opening the soap drops Aby gravity ontc this deector which directsl the soap out through the outlet opening or mouth 68'into the hand of the user which is held below this mouth.

In order to prevent theft, tinkering with or casual loosening of the glasscontainer 20, locking means are provided, which connect the glass For this purpose the top of `the glass container as shown in Fig. 1 is ground to provide an annular groove 90 into which the edge of a dish shaped metal cap 9| is snapped. To additionally secure the cap 9| 4to .the container the edge of the cap canl be glued in the groove 90. The center of this cap is provided with a threaded opening 92 which receives preferably a Parker head screw 93 which carries a collar 94. The collar 94 in its side is provided with a threaded opening 95 which receives the threaded end of a wire lock arm 96. The opposite end of this wire lock arm 95 is screwed into a threaded'opening 91 preferably provided in the head of the bolt or screw 35. This wire lock arm 98 closely follows the contour of the container 20 asshown in Fig. 1. With this arrangement when the Parker head screw 93 is screwed into the opening 92 in the cap 9| this cap cannot be pulled olf the container.

As best shown in Fig. 6 the Parker head screw 93 is provided with crossed slots having tapering bottoms so that an ordinary straight ended screw driver cannot remove such a screw but removal of the screw must be effected by a special screw driver. In this connection the reason for Dreferring a Parker head screw is to preventthis screw from being loosened or removed by a coin, key or other similar device except by a screw driver particularly designed for Parker head screws. While these locking means are not absothe screw 93 is ilrst removed from engagement with the cap 8| and then the head 2| can b'e 'manually grasped and pulled forwardly against v the resistance ofthe spring to remove .the

1the head returned to the position `of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

During'the turning of the head 2| and conltainer it will be seen'that the pivot rod 48 pivots in the opening 28 as ay bearing and also that,either in the positionk of the assembly in i merals having been applied to indicate identical y Fig. 1 or in Fig.2, the spring 50 urges the lugs 4,4 into locking engagement with the openings 43.

In thel form of the invention shown in Figs. 8-12 the dispenser is'shown as being adapted to dispense liquid soap. `However, except for a modiilcation of the dispensing mechanism'the construction shown in Figs. 8-12 is identical with that shown in Figs. 1-7 and hence" the description has not been repeated, the same reference nuparts.

In the liquid soap dispenser shown in Figs. 8-12, a supporting member |00 in the form of a disk is shown as engaging the shouldei` 63, a gasket |0| of rubber or the like being interposed between lthis l supporting disk and the ange of the threaded insert 55. This gasket |0| prevents the liquid soap |02 from leaking around the edge of the supporting diski00. A tubular cylinder member |03 is arranged underneath thesupporting disk and is secured to the same by welding |04 or in any other suitable manner. This cylinder member |03 is closed at its rear `end by an integral wall |05 and is open at its opposite or front end, a

discharge opening or outlet v|06 -being centrally provided in the bottom of the cylinder member so that this discharge opening |06 is in line' with the outlet mouth 68. As viewed in Fig. 8, to the left of the outlet |06 and in the top of the cylinder member the same is provided with an inlet |01 which places the interior of this cylinder member in communication with the body of liquid soap |02 within theV container 20, a nipple connection |08 for this purpose being arranged in an yopening provided in the supporting disk |00.

lute yet their provision prevents tinkering with and unauthorized loosening of the soap container.

When it is desired to refill the soap container 15 A piston member ||0 is shown as being reciprocably arranged in the bore of the cylinder member |03 and is provided with an axial bore which extends from the rear face of this fplston member inwardly of the same a certain distance. A transverse bore ||2 intersects the axial'bore and places the two in communication with each other, as ibest shown in Fig. 12. In turn the opposite ends of the transverse bore ||2 are in communication with an annular groove I3 provided around the piston member. The piston member extends to .a point outside the head 2| through an opening |4 provided in this head and a push button ||5 is arranged on the outer end of the piston member.` Thek piston member also carries a stop pin ||8 to limitits outwardmovement and a helical compression spring ||1 is interposed between the end face of the piston member and the rear wall |05 of the cylinder member. y l

When the piston member is in the position shown in Fig.- 8 liquid soap is permitted to ow said wall bracket and means arranged in a vertical plane disposed between said bearing means and said head for locking said head in an upright operative position.

2. In a soap dispenser adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure andv having a supporting head, a container adapted to contain a supply of soap removably mountedon said head and charge of liquid soap is forced to pass through the communicating passageways or bores I and I |2 and thereby discharges the liquid soap through the discharge opening IIIB which is in line with the outlet mouth 68 of the supporting head 2| intothe hand of the user. Upon release of the piston member the spring III expands and reof the invention shown in Figs. 8-12 can be refilled in the same manner as with the soap con- Figs. 1-7.

A modifled form of locking means connecting the container 2|! with the wall bracket 22 to prevent unauthorized removal oi' the container is shown in. Fig. 13 and can be employed with either the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-7 or with the form illustrated in Figs. 8-12. In Fig. 13 that end of the lock arm 96a connecteduwith the wall bracket is not connected to lthe head of the screw 35 as illustrated in both forms of the invention in Figs. 1-7 and Figs. 8-12 but is connected to the front panel 32 of the wall bracket shell 3|. For this purpose the end of the lock arm is threaded and.has brazedl thereon a collar |28 which engages with the face of the front panel 32. The threaded end extends through an opening in the front panel and carries a nut I2 I,

a washer |22 being preferably interposed between the nut and the front panel. The opposite end of the lock arm 96a isconnected to the container vtainer` in the form of the invention shown in in the same manner illustrated in Figs. l, 6 and 8.

of soap removably mounted on said head and vmanually operable dispensing -means. arranged in said head for discharging a measured amount of soap, said container being provided with an opening leading to said dispensing means, means for securing said head to a wall comprising a wall bracket, and means for swivelly mounting said head on said wall bracket whereby said head y and said container can be turned to an inverted position for removal of said container for reilling the same with soap and including a pivot rod secured to said head and having vits outer extremity projecting through an opening provided in said wall bracket, bearing means continuously engaging the said outer extremity of said rod in manually operable dispensing means arranged in said head for discharging a measured amount of soap, said container being provided with an opening leading to said dispensing means, means for securing said head to a wall, comprising a wall bracket including an anchoring plate which is provided with a bearing opening, means for mounting said anchoring plate on the supporting structure, a shell encasing said anchoring plate and means for securing said shell to said anchoring plate, a pivot rod secured -to said head and journaled in said bearing opening, an interlocking projection and recess provided on said head and said shell and adapted to maintain said head in anupright operative position. and spring means operatively interposed between said pivot rod and said shell for urging said projection and recess into engagement with each other, said head being adapted to be manually moved axially of said pivot rod and against the resistance of said spring means so as to disengage said projection and said recess and permit said head and container to rbe turned to an inver-ted position for removal of said container for relllng the same with soap.

3`. A soap dispenser adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure, comprising a supporting head, a container adapted to contain a supply of soap mounted on said head, dispensing means arranged in said head for discharging a measured amount of soap, said container being provlded with an opening leading to said dispensing -means, a wall bracket, means for rotatably mounting said head on said wall bracket, and

locking means connecting said container with said wall bracket thereby to prevent casual removal of said container from said head in the norm-al position of said head.

4. A soap dispenser adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure, comprising a supporting head, a container adapted to contain a supply of soap mounted on said head, dispensing means arranged in said head for discharging a measured amount of soap, said container being provided with an opening leading to said dispensing means, a wall bracket, means for rotatably mounting said head on said wall bracket, and locking means connecting said container with said Wall bracket thereby to prevent casual removal of said container from said head in the normal position of said head including a lock arm, means connecting one end of said lock arm to said wall bracket and means for connecting the opposite endof said lock arm to said container.

c 5. A soap dispenser adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure, comprising a supporting head having a threaded opening, a container adapted to contain a supply of soap and having a threaded neck which is adapted to be screwed into said threaded opening, dispensing means arranged in said head for discharging a. measured amount of soap, said container being provided With an opening leading to said dispensing means, a wall bracket, means for rotatably mounting said head on said wall bracket, a lock arm, means connecting one end oi' said lock arm to said wall bracket, and means for connecting the opposite end of said lock arm to said con-l tainer thereby to prevent casual loosening and casual removal of said container from the threadedv opening of said head in the normal position of said head.

6. A soap dispenser adapted to be mounted onV a supporting structure, comprising a supporting head having a threaded opening. a container 4adapted to contain a supply of soap and having an open threaded neck which is adapted to be screwed into saidlthreaded opening and also being' provided with an annular groove adjacent its end opposite said threaded neck, dispensing means for discharging a measured amount of soap arranged in said head, a wall bracket, means for mounting said head 0n said wall bracket, a lock arm, means connecting one end of said lock arm to said wall bracket, a collar secured to the opposite endof said lock arm, a screw carried by said collar, a cap arranged `on the soad opposite end of said container and engaging said groove, said screw being adapted to be screwed into said cap thereby -to prevent casual loosening and casual removal of said container from the threaded opening of said head.

7. A powdered soap dispenser, comprising av supporting head having an outlet, a container for the soap mounted on said supporting head, and means arranged within said head for diswith an lcipening which is in communication with the body of soap in saidcontainer, a guide mexnl ber carried by said supporting member and provided with a discharge opening; a valve memberV slidingly arranged in said guide member and provided with a measuring valve opening vadapted to contain a measured amount of soap, a leaf spring secured at one'end to said supporting member and having its' opposite end extending through said opening inf said supporting member and into said valye opening, means for agitating the soap adjacent saidvalve opening including -a compacting plate carried by the free end portion of said spring andadapted to move past said opening in said supporting member, an agitator in the form of 'a plurality of wire coils arranged in the body of soap and carried by said compacting pl-ate, said wire coils being adapted to move in the body of soap and thereby insure the free ilow of the powdered soap into the measuring Valve opening when the same is being charged, and means for manually sliding said valve member to a discharge position in which said valve opening registers with said disch-arge opening whereby the 4measured amount of soap carried by said valve opening drops by gravity through said outlet.

. I CHARLES W. HOPPE. 

